The Otondo’s Guide to Shopping in Ibadan

Otondo Kopa! So you need to get your new supply of personal effects, food stuff, clothes and so on but you don’t know where to get them at allowee friendly prices. This guide is just the thing you need. There are particular markets that you can get things really cheap in Ibadan because some markets specialise in selling certain things.

Dugbe, Agbeni, Ogunpa; heard of these names before? They are interconnected markets in Ibadan, more like the business hub of Ibadan city.

In Dugbe you can get new and graded clothes, shoes, bags and also stuff to fill your pot and belly. Might I also add, there’s a shopping mall in Dugbe; in fact twin malls. So for those who love to shop on the side where there’s a lot of forming, knock yourselves out.

Ogunpa sells most of the products you would find in ‘Onitsha’, made in China goods, and Nigerian made ones too.

In Agbeni you can get household stuff that is groceries, cosmetics, hair extensions and weaves, underwear, fashion accessories, costume jewellery and toiletries at very cheap prices. There is also a store at Felele that sells the things you can find in Agbeni market at the cheapest prices I’ve ever seen in Ibadan. The only issue with Felele is the distance. So it's for those who are able to make the trip down there.

Another market is Aleshinloye market. Personally, I do not consider it to be a market to get cheap things. It’s the kind of market that you have to be very smart and alert when you go there. You can get plastic containers, kitchenware, clothes, shoes, fabrics and materials for craft, groceries and back to school stuff.

Ojaoba (King’s market) is popular for fruits and raw food materials like pepper, tomatoes, plantains, yams and the likes and they go for great prices here.

Not all the markets with specialities in Ibadan were discussed above but most of the rest are neighbourhood markets that sell a bit of everything.

Here are some additional tips to shopping smart and shopping right in Ibadan

•  Don't shop in your NYSC uniform. Shopping in your uniform is not a very good idea because when you appear in your uniform, you send a message that you are an Otondo. Sharp traders exploit this by calling exorbitant prices for their goods or services. This is also applies to taking public transport.
• Have an idea of the price of the item that you want to buy before going to the market so that you won't be cheated. You can find out from people around.
• Learn how to 'price' things; that is, know how to negotiate. Avoid buying things at the price the trader calls for you.
• If you go to the market often, having a 'customer' (a trader you patronise regularly) can serve as a way of getting good discounts.

For your questions, comments, and contributions please do a quick mail to oyokopa@gmail.com